Step by Step

The word “philanthropy” comes from the Greek language, meaning, quite simply, a love of humanity. At its heart, it reflects something very personal: the desire to help others, strengthen community, and make a difference in ways that matter to you.

For some people, philanthropy means supporting a favorite nonprofit year after year. For others, it means volunteering time, responding to urgent needs, or thinking carefully about how to create lasting change. However it shows up, philanthropy is not one-size-fits-all. It’s as unique as the people behind it.

At the East Tennessee Foundation, we believe that everyone has a philanthropic instinct—it just looks different from person to person. Our role is to help you discover, shape, and act on that instinct in a way that reflects your values, your experiences, and your goals. Whether you already have a clear vision or are just beginning to explore what matters most, our team can help you connect the dots.

But how, exactly, does this work? What does it look like in real life to get started with the East Tennessee Foundation?

Often, the starting point is simply a conversation. Here’s what you can expect during your first meeting with a member of our team.

We will review your favorite charities.

Together, we will take a look at a list of the charities you already support and review each organization to uncover the reasons you love and support each one. This is a crucial starting point because the East Tennessee Foundation is here to help you make the most of what you are already doing and then build on that to discover how you can get even more involved.

We will chat about your story.

We enjoy hearing from our donors about the experiences that have shaped their lives. As we begin this part of our conversation, we will explore questions that help unlock where your charitable passions may lie and why. What challenges have you or your loved ones faced? What opportunities made a difference for you? Often, the causes we care about most are connected to our own journeys. Reflecting on these moments can help clarify where you feel most motivated to give.

We will talk about what’s going on in our region.

Which local issues capture your attention or spark a strong emotional response? It might be something you read in the news, a local initiative you hear about, or a cause a friend supports. These moments are often clues pointing toward what matters most to you. The East Tennessee Foundation can help provide context for these issues and share information about which organizations are directly addressing the local challenges that top your list.

We will connect with your advisors about structure.

As your charitable purposes come into focus, we would welcome the opportunity to join you for a meeting with your estate planning and tax advisors or even provide articles you can share with your advisors about charitable giving structures that might help you achieve your goals. Whether your charitable goals are best served via a donor advised fund, unrestricted fund, legacy gift, IRA beneficiary designation, or anything in between, the East Tennessee Foundation can help implement your charitable intentions in ways that your advisors recommend are best aligned with the rest of your financial plan.

As we take these steps together, remember that you do not have to have all the answers right away. Philanthropy is a journey, not a destination. It is okay to start small, to ask questions, and to adjust your approach along the way. Whether you are ready to establish a fund, looking to deepen your involvement, or simply beginning to think about how you want to give back, our commitment is to turn your love of humanity into meaningful, lasting impact.

The team at the East Tennessee Foundation is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.